"Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different." ~ C. S. Lewis

Today is Thursday, February 12, 2026, and, I find myself squeezed into my chair since Lil Miss Biscuit has decided to take up more than her fair share. Sorry, Paw Paw Mac, I know you would never allow any dog into the house, much less have one sit beside you in a chair. But, my how the times have changed. I just looked down at her and said this, "I sure hope you are comfortable." I'm not sure she recognizes sarcasm because she seems very pleased with herself at the moment. That cartoon and caption is from the early 1900's. I used it because I have been reading some jokes told during that time period. Ditty's like this one from 1908: "I didn't know raw oysters were healthy." "I never heard one complaining about being sick." Here's one from 1916, but I doubt seriously if my grandfather ever read or heard it, he would have been 16 at the time: "Well did he pay you?", the wife of the dentist inquired after he had gone to collect a bill for a full set of teeth he had made. "Pay me!" growled the dentist. "Not only did he refuse to pay me but he had the effrontery to gnash at me----with my own teeth." I know humor has changed, perhaps some for the better but alas, no doubt, much as become much more vulgar. So much so, they now have a group of comedians who identify themselves as Clean in order to distinguish themselves from the norm. This next cartoon funny is from 1911: 

I rather think, in our culture today, we've all been conditioned to laugh out loud at stuff that would likely have been considered inappropriate back in those days. I remember Granny Mac telling about how Paw Paw would ride a horse up to see her when they first had begun to like each other. She said he would wear his hat tilted to one side. Then she would laugh and laugh. She seemed to greatly enjoy those recollections. Me? I guess I would have had to have been there. Ha!

 

Last week our praise team and choir did the Gaither song, "Because He Lives". Even though I've sung and heard sung that song hundreds of times, it was a very special moment in our service. It's super special to our family because our baby sister, Kayla, who died of leukemia at age 27 asked it to be sung at her homegoing service. She wanted the lyrics changed from 'because He lives I can face tomorrow' to 'because He lives I can face today'. She said she had learned during her many months of dealing with her illness the true meaning of taking it one day at a time. That song is now considered one of the most beloved hymns, featured prominently in churches, funeral services, and various recordings, with one popular YouTube video alone receiving over 92 million views. A worldwide standard. Thanks Gloria and Bill Gaither for your many years of serving the Lord and making music that has been impactful for time and eternity. There's a country song recorded by the late George Jones that asks a question, "Who's Gonna Fill their Shoes?" I often wonder that same thing about the Gaither's. I do hope you enjoy the testimony represented in that song, "Because He Lives", I do, I really do. Until next time, keep on keeping on and don't forget to remember to remember to praise God from whom all blessings flow. Amen.